Stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α/CXCL12) is a CXC chemokine that is expressed in several tissues in response to hypoxia, via up-regulation of hypoxia inducible fator-1α (HIF-1α).[1–5] For example, SDF-1α is up-regulated in experimental and clinical studies of acute myocardial infarction (MI), wherein it is thought to mitigate adverse ventricular remodelling. The gene discussed is HIF1A; the disease is myocardial infarction.